Indirect Interaction Device Sensory Surface Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indirect interaction devices lack efficient methods to utilize multiple portions of a sensory surface for distinct tasks within a user interface, such as launching and navigating objects, leading to limitations in user interaction and interface control.

Innovation Solution

The system maps different portions of an indirect interaction device's sensory surface to distinct regions of the user interface, allowing one portion to launch and control objects while another portion navigates within the interface, with adjustable surface areas based on tasks, enabling gestures to initiate object launch, engagement, and hiding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single sensory surface is used for both object launching and navigation, then device simplicity is maintained, but interaction precision and control efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensory surface is divided into multiple distinct portions, each dedicated to specific functions such as object launching, engagement, and navigation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its particular task, improving interaction precision while maintaining a unified device form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the sensory surface are assigned different functional qualities - some areas are optimized for gesture-based object launching while others are optimized for navigation. This local differentiation enables precise control for each function without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the entire sensory surface is mapped to the user interface, then navigation capability is maintained, but object control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject control precisionVSAvoidnavigation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensory surface mapping is segmented into different regions that map to different UI elements. One portion maps to the launched object for precise control, while another portion maps to the broader user interface for navigation, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously with appropriate precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sensory surface have different mapping qualities - the first portion is mapped with high precision to the specific object for detailed control, while the second portion is mapped more broadly to the user interface for navigation purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed surface area allocation is used for different tasks, then device simplicity is maintained, but task adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask adaptabilityVSAvoidmapping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping between sensory surface portions and user interface elements is dynamic rather than fixed. When an object is launched, the first portion of the sensory surface is dynamically mapped to that object, and the second portion is dynamically mapped to the user interface, allowing the system to adapt to different tasks while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2776911B1User interface indirect interaction
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2776911B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2776911B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2776911B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for utilizing input data received from an indirect interaction device (e.g., mouse, touchpad, etc.) to launch, engage, and/or close, etc. an object within a user interface. For example, a sensory surface of the indirect interaction device may be divided into two (or more) portions, a first portion utilized to launch, engage, and/or close an object and a second portion utilized to navigate (e.g., a cursor) within the user interface. When an object is launched based upon receipt of a predefined gesture(s), the first portion of the sensory surface may be mapped to the object to provide for interaction with the object via an interaction between a contact (e.g., finger) and the first portion. Also, the surface area of the first portion may be altered (e.g., enlarged) when it is mapped to the object and/or according to operations performed on the object.